Comparing GPS and DPA - What Is the Difference?
Global Positioning System (GPS) and Differential Global Positioning System (DPA) are both technologies used for navigation and location detection. They use different approaches to the same task however. GPS is a satellite-targeted system, which uses signals from satellites to calculate a user's position and heading. DPA is a mostly land-based system, using highly positioned antennas to detect and calculate a user's position.
GPS is often used for navigation, including aviation navigation and mapping, when precise information is needed about a user's exact location. DPA is used in a similar fashion, but mainly for urban transportation and planning. It can provide more accurate and detailed information than GPS.
GPS requires access to a large number of satellites, and therefore has to be used outdoors. DPA is an indoor navigation system and works best indoors, as it only requires access to a limited number of antennas.
GPS is based on a triangulation system, requiring three or more satellites to accurately pinpoint a user’s location. DPA is based on a single signal from an antenna, and can be used to detect even smaller differences in location than GPS.
Both GPS and DPA are valuable technologies in terms of navigation and locating a user’s exact location. Depending on the application and the environment, either system can provide the necessary accuracy and detailed information